Why are you Atheist, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, or Wiccan?

I'm a Unitarian Universalist because (a) I'm convinced that there is something more than what we see and hear around us, (b) I don't know what that something is, only that it is vast and mysterious, and (c) I believe that no one religion can possibly have all the answers. We need all of them.

I would identify myself as agnostic. I've studied various religions, but haven't found one that I really believe completely.
However, I view Buddhism more as a philosophy, and when I first learned about it, it was the only thing that made any sense to me. I felt like a light bulb went on that was out for my whole life.
Great question!

I was a Christian as a youngster because i was raised in a Christian home. We went to sunday school and sunday morning service, sunday night service, and wednesday night service. When i was four i had a religious experience of Jesus Messiah literally sitting down in the chair next to me in the room where i prayed, with my Mom, to "accept Jesus into my heart." His presence has never went away, even now i intuitively know that i am not alone.

After High School i determined that God did not have grandchildren. In other words, was this my own belief or my parent's influences? The pentecostal group i worshipped with did not have the answers for how or why life happened as i experienced it, there was a huge disconnect between belief and practice. I studied Christianity very closely, and discovered the Church Fathers, Reformed theology, and the Apostle's Creed. I was satisfied that this was a reasonable and accurate description of my experience and of the circumstances around me.

I am a Christian because i believe salvation must necessarily come from outside of humanity as people are wayyyyy to fucked up for anything other than salvation by unmerited favor. Every other major religion has some kind of string attached, Buddhism is basically a kind of spiritual atheism, and i trust Rationalism, which produced the three most bloody tyrannies of the 20th century, about as far as i can throw my car (right back attcha mr. Harris). That is why i am a christian.

I strongly assert that atheism or at worst temporary agnosticism heavily favoring the probability of atheism are the only rational and logical positions to hold these days.

Why? Simple. The God Hypothesis.

The existence of God in/outside of our universe is a scientific question by nature; in that a universe with a divine being is dramatically different in composition that a universe without one.

Thus the question of God's existence is a scientific hypothesis, and one that should be broken in down into a null hypothesis (atheism) and alternative hypothesis (a god does exist) and weighted according to verisimilitude (verifiable truthlikeness). There is absolutely no observable evidence whatsover to suggest the addition of the God Hypothesis to explain our natural universe is justified. At this time, there is a lot of verisimilitude attached to the accepted laws of physics, the theory of evolution, and other theories that explain the universe and the life within it. Thus, it is only rational to currently hold that atheism appears more verifiably truthlike than any explanation of the universe that invokes an all powerful divine being.

I respectfully but strongly disagree with KatieKat here " For instance, we may completely prove the "Big Bang" theory of the beginning of our universe but what created the matter that caused the bang? What made matter out of nothing."

In contrast, the theory of the Big Bang does not attempt to explain how a universe evolved from "nothing". In fact, modern science strongly suggests that is impossible. One of the keys laws of physics is that matter is neither created nor destroyed, and in millions of experimental and observational data no matter or energy has been created or destroyed. Your argument sounds to me like a version of the Original Cause fallacy, where one makes the assumption that at some point our universe did not exist in some natural state, and was unnaturaly created. The fallacy breaks down quite quickly when you apply their own faulty premise: if your argument holds true, then who or what created God? If your answer is that God has always existed, Occam's Razor rule of logic insists you must accept the simpler and more explanatory solution, that the universe itself has always existed in some natural form. That is actually something we can try to falsify upon observation, i.e. by trying to create or destroy matter, something that has never been observed to be possible.

Remember, scientific theories are infinte sources of information, which means while they are very useful, it also means at least for now that no scientific theory is 100% definitively and verifiably correct. However, scientific theories clearly offer the best possible avenue for answering questions about our universe, including the God Hypothesis.

Drac

I have a hard time categorizing myself...

my question is why do human beings always need to categorize themselves as one way or another? i agree with some hindu, buddhist, christian, muslim texts but am not part of any of these religions. It seems the nature of human beings to form a group that is partially based on the exclusion of everyone else. In some extreme cases, a group will form and believe that it is superior to other groups. I think this phenomenon has some basis in evolution. Maybe, at one point, it was beneficial for people to identify in groups, so they would socialize and share food and ensure the survival of the species. In any case, the numerous times I've tried to categorize myself I've failed to be satisfied with the classification. Its complex-- I believe in God, yet I don't believe in God, I agree a lot of the spiritual leaders are correct and I think they are incorrect as well...the one thing that I will consistently believe is that people must help other people and love each other, with no religious strings attached.

You made it on the this is good page! Hooray!

I am a faithful Catholic (the few, the proud) and I identify with my religion because it gives me a nice balance of Mercy and Justice. God isn't some teddy bear, but He's no monster either.
I also believe that the Catholic Church allows for more accountability among its members while still preserving privacy. My spiritual state is important to the whole Church and the whole Church can help me with it...I'm not left on my own with my "personal relationship" with Our Lord. Additionally, I do not need to acknowledge my sin publicly to receive said support.
Further, if one believes in God then Catholicism makes better logical sense if we follow what we know of God's nature.
Lastly, my Church is among the oldest continuous institutions in the West and perhaps in the world. I take a certain amount of historical satisfaction at being a member.

I am a Pagan because I feel a connection with the world around me, with everything. No rules, just right.

I am atheist, because all religions attempt to explain the universe in human terms, which I cannot accept to be true. A stray asteroid could wipe out all life on Earth, and the universe would just carry on with no concern for the fact that humans once evolved here. No, the universe is about much more than the petty desires of humans. It is a glorious, unknowable mystery of which we happen to be part. To know that, and to marvel at it, is enough.

I have no idea why I like my religion, or what it is exactly that makes me like it - but maybe that's because I don't follow it as I "should" (entirely). I'm Muslim, yet I don't even know how to pray in Arabic. I don't pray five times a day or anything of the like and I haven't had the chance to even read the Qu'ran yet (though I'd like to, but I can't read Arabic so I have to wait to get an English version...) However, I also don't let religion and religious beliefs get to me so much. I have no proof that God exists - or Hell or Heaven or anything, to be honest - so I won't say 'He definitely is there'... just like I won't say 'He's definitely not there'. I *think* He exists, but there's a huge difference between what someone thinks and what is.

But I don't let that bother me. Why care where I'm going to end up after life? Why worry about the point of my life and all that kind of crap? "Oh, dear, I swore! That's going to send me to Hell, that is!" I'm also not as unrealistic as my Christian grandmother and my Muslim aunt (both take religion TOO seriously, as far as I can see): they say that the Devil does everything bad in the world, and that God is all-powerful - yet he doesn't make the Devil do all the bad things. As far as I'm concerned, God does EVERYTHING. It doesn't matter if He's killing people - they're dead. Big wow. If everyone has to die, so be it. I can't change it, and neither can anyone else. So it's not worth worrying about. That way, I don't worry about every little action I make or every little comment I say - God has either made me do it, or He hasn't (in which case he's either not real or isn't all-powerful and so isn't worth worshipping).

And I'm quite happy with those beliefs ^_^

Why... I believe that God is real because I've interacted with Him. Call it what you will. He is the one and true God, and His Son is Jesus, who is the Messiah. There is no other God.

Besides that, faith is faith for a reason... but I've never known anything to draw me into peace or purpose like believing in Jesus as Messiah. He is the light of the world, and nothing else has even come close. Some get mad, and with reason. Christians have been known for atrocities... but we're human. Christ was not a Christian, however, and as far I've seen He's been better to me than any person who I've ever encountered or known in my life. He is a constant. He's better than life. He is life.

C. S. Lewis, he's got a pretty good understanding of Christianity as I know it myself.

I am more than one thing. Raised Baptist, turned Agnostic, became a Humanist, (re)discovered Paganism...it's all wrapped up in me, leading me to Unitarian Universalism. I will be joining a UU church soon--next week. In terms of my own beliefs, I mostly identify with Paganism because I feel like merely stepping outside with bare feet on cold grass is in and of itself a spiritual experience, because out of every religion and belief system, the one thing that everyone can "be shown" is nature itself. To me, it's the one undeniable truth and that's why I'm drawn to it. (It's more to me than just that, but I'm trying to paint a picture here...) It feels right, true, and cyclical. It just "clicks" for me. As far as UU is concerned, I'm into that because I like the sense of community. In order to have many faiths in one place, I think an even greater effort is produced in creating bonds amongst each other and in overlooking differences. It's amazing to me and it is those kinds of feelings that attract me to it.

All of this is just my opinion though and based on why *I* feel the way I do. I don't mean anything as a generalization. :)

I'm an agnostic, because I find the concept of belief kind of baffling.

What a great question and even greater answers. I became a Christian because that's what I was taught. I am a Christian now because I have thought through my faith. I like Jesus. He's kind of in-your-face, even rude to the religious elite, not a typical God character. That intrigues me. The story of the crucifixion is still the most compelling I can think of and it's meant to be an inclusive one.

I don't always identify with my evangelical Christian culture, although I know some amazing people who are followers of Jesus. Sometimes I find the ideological view point too neat and tidy for my liking. If I had a culture that I felt most comfortable in, it would be with artists, thinkers and philosophers, but I figure they probably don't care that much about me. Jesus does.

I don't know that I identify with anything, any belief system.. I suppose I think there is something beyond what we are living. I guess. Maybe. You know, a sort of life after the one we know now? Do I identify myself as some sort of religious being? No. I identify myself as human. I neither identify as Christian, Muslim, Scientist, Buddhist, or any other religious anything.
I am. That's it.
My husband defines himself mostly as Atheist. He finds the idea of a God a pretty hard one to imagine. That is why he defines himself that way. He says, "how could a God allow the atrocities that exist?" To each his own.

I believe in God because of the incredible unlikliness of the "coincedences" in my life.

I believe that the Bible is powerful because of the way it means different things to me at different times, and because I always seem to find what I need to read.

I believe that Christians have a bad name; that people think they are unforgiving, prudish, up-tight, shallow, self-righteous, and hypocritical.

And although this is sometimes unfair, I believe for the most part it's an entirely deserved reputation.

That's why I'm working on my own religion right now, and looking for people that feel the same way.

I am an atheist.

I was raised Catholic and educated in Catholic schools through high school, dabbled in Wicca/Paganism when I was 15-18 or so, have an intense respect and love for the Jewish culture, and a general fascination for religion in general. However, I look at all of them as one might look at history or sociology: fascinated, but somewhat detached.

Buddhist a) raised with Buddhism in the home and 2) in a home that stressed the importance of learning about other religions (some will argue that Buddhism is not a religion...that's okay).

Living in rural Missouri, there are not many "choices" between religions but you have no shortage of churches. Part was a completed year of Evangelical Catechism. While Buddhist practise was discontinued in the home (still in childhood), it's how I define myself (even though I sit irregularly!).

I used to think that I was disillusioned with God, but then I realized that it is those who call themselves His followers that disappoint me. God is real; religion-now THAT'S made-up. I suppose that Gnostic is a good term; the search for knowledge, and the divine spark that lives in each of us, drives me onward. Somenone once accused me of being an Existentialist. I couldn't run away fast enough from the church of my youth; my parents fear for my eternal soul.

I'm Catholic but I mostly identify with it because my entire family is Catholic. My parents and grandparents are immigrants from a very Catholic country. I thought about becoming Buddhist when I was 18 years old and eventually decided to stay Catholic since it's such a big part of my family celebrations. I don't buy into the doctrine blindly, though. I ultimately believe that a person's relationship with God (or whatever name you give to a Higher Power) cannot be defined or constrained by a title like Christian, Buddhist, etc.

I am a hardcore atheist, who recognizes that religion is the true root of all evil, and will be the ultimate end of humanity, likely within the next 300 years.

There is absolutely no god, no higher power, no universal creator, no nothing. Religious people are brainwashed sheep whose faith in the giant boogeyman in the sky is most troubling, as those beliefs lead to 95% of all conflict and war.

I don't really mind people who choose to believe in a higher power. That's their business. It's religious people whose existence and beliefs are patently stupid, ignorant and offensive to me.

I'm a Christian. I'm Christian for a lot of reasons.

One reason is because I actually have a relationship with God. He has protected me when I needed protecting and has answered my prayers when I needed them answered. He has also pulled me away from Satan and closer to Himself. I have nightmares every time I get a tad farther from Him and He gets rid of them for me.

I also think that if God didn't exist, there would be nothing. Come on, what do you think makes trees grow? And what tells our brains to process? And how do we have a mind? I'd like to see humans pull apart a brain and figure that out.

I also believe in the idea of love that the Bible promises. It's very comforting to know that there is someone who loves me, gives me courage, protects me, and sees me in ways that humans can't.

Really interesting comments. I found this blog on technorati whilst searching up about blogs talking about religious differences and other related topics. I read through most of the comments, and everyone here seemed very eager to share their views, but what I found really cool was that, although the beliefs where hugely diverse, everyone had reasons why they individually related to aspects of their religion or their particular belief, but at the same time, they did not really promote or preach about their religion - only one comment stated that their religion was better because it had no strings attached. The majority of comments were about love, values, teachings and the culture of their various beliefs. I also came across a new term for me - seems like I should have come across it but I haven't before - Unitarian Universalism - which seemingly refers to a spirituality search related to the type of confusion I'm in with regards to the whole religion and spirituality "thing." Nevertheless, I definitely do not want to align myself to any particular way of thinking or term, especially one I only came across a couple of days ago.

So, as for myself, I'm a tad confused. Regarding myself: I was born into a Hindu family, and thus I've been surrounded by Hinduism and its teachings. My parents are quite spiritually inclined, and even though a lot of their beliefs seem to be derived from Hinduism, being very open-mindedtruth-seeking people, a whole other side of their values are from numerous differentsources like Buddhism, Christianity, the teachings of Sathya Sai Baba, and so on. My strongly religious maternal grandmother lived with us until I was about fifteen, so I saw her go to the shrine room in our house to pray each morning and night, and often conduct a ceremony. I've been involved in such ceremonies, and I like to learn about them, however I don't feel a real need to be a part of them since I think a relationship with God is personal. I do visit the shrine room on a daily basis because it does exude a feeling of tranquility and good intentions. I've been to temples many times before, but I haven't been to one in the last two or so years. I learnt South Indian classical music for 12 years - the songs are about, and to God - however I was mainly there because of my love for music. These are a combination of things that have influenced my thinking and bias.

So, I find that I really relate to Hinduism and I could quite easily call myself a Hindu, because in the end, the values and beliefs coincide with mine but there is also a lot of open-mindedness inherent in the religion. It's almost like Hinduism provides teachings and various methods (or ways of seeings) that allow people to have a relationship with God, and thus live life of happiness for yourself and others. However, that's only my interpretation of it. Like anything, teachings in Hinduism could be understood differently, or followed in a certain way without questioning, which could seem "bad" to me. I'll come back to this in another post. I want to use the word "therefore," but it's not like I"m putting forth a logical argument, but my conclusion is I feel uncomfortable calling myself part of any particular religion until I have a greater understanding of it (that's if I ever come to a satisfactory understanding in my own eyes). So, rather, I'd like to take what works for me with regards to God from religions like Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism, and anywhere else I can, and try to live my life in way that would help others to experience (or realise) the grace contained in life in whatever way they do.

I'm not really sure, and I'm happy to admit it.

I am B'nei Noach (essentially, a Gentile who follows some tenets of Judaism). For years, I was an atheist and vehemently rejected any sort of theism. I studied many religions; then I discovered Judaism, and this ultimately led me to an understanding of some very simple, universal truths about "my place" in the world, the concept of God--and something new to me: this thing called spirituality... A huge draw for me was also the ability to impart moral guidance to my young children, and some sort of identity, along with a POV consistent with modernity--tolerance, science, etc.

I'm very much a religious pluralist--live and let live. Don't condemn me for my beliefs, and I won't condemn you.

I may convert to (liberal) Judasim some day, as many do, which may explain why there aren't many observant Noahides in the world today :)

I'm an atheist---I've been one for nigh over three years now. Before that, I had a short stunt with Buddhism and a year before that, I was Christian since birth. So I've had experience with three entirely different religions.

I'm an atheist because I couldn't get myself to believe in God, where his very being is filled with numerous contradictions. And really, that's the gist of it. I'm a nitpicker, I will admit, and I find comfort in things that is proven, but. I also know that there are a lot of things out there that aren't proven. However, the reason I cannot find comfort in God or any other deity is that fact that I don't see how one being can control EVERYTHING. To me, everything lends itself to each other---nothing can exist without the help of something else. In short, nothing can be all-powerful.

I also don't like religious fanaticals, which does nothing for the "relationship" between religion and I. They bother me, because I simply don't want to understand why they won't try to see the other side of the story, if you will. :/ And they sort of smudge the good name of those who ARE good religious people, which just really irks me.

I see myself as a scholar---I like religion solely for learning all about it. It has nothing to do with faith for me; it's all about the knowledge. And I for one am a complete knowledge hog. ;) For those who find comfort in religion, lovely! :D It's nice to know that religion provides comfort to those who need and want it. The fact still remains that it does nothing whatsoever to me. I like to control my own fate/life/etc. you see.

Besides, if I ever have any desire to go back into religion, it would definitely be Buddhism. Very peaceful and one point of said religion is to rid yourself of selfish desires, which is a goal I very much admire, among other things. :) I attend Buddhist sessions since my mum is Buddhist [when I converted from Christianity I went to Buddhism with her] and it's a very serene, clean feeling you get. Plus, my mum has definitely improved and moved on. :D

So yeah, religion is helpful to those who need it. But definitely not for me.

i am an athiest, simply because i know there is no such thing as a higher power - i believe that mankind needs to take responsibilty for its own triumphs, travails and tragedies - i am also of Indian descent, as well as an American and a New Zealander (a Kiwi) - if you put all these things together, you will still have not reached the essense of who i am, but you'd be closer:) - i am an organism on this planet, trying to survive and be happy - i choose not to believe in the unbelievable - i choose not to be a slave to other people's dogmas - that makes me a free woman

well, how difficult it's to explain it in two or three words...i think that in every religion teaches to give all around you the fact that it's religion by its side...i'm buhddism and in me i feel that it's the best way i could think...i use to say buhdist choose me but it's not me choose buhddism...

eiric

I can't explain in only a few words why I got to the point where I am on this continuing journey. There have been times in the past where there was no involvement in the church and times of hyper-involvement... times when I questioned whether or not God was a fiction created by people who just needed to believe that mortal humans happened as more than the existence of any other creature... a rationalization of why humans could "rightfully" claim ownership and control of the planet...

I have been a part of several Christian traditions, as well as studying the belief structures of many others.

The reason I am now aligned with the description of faith that there IS a GOD that I am now bound to is because that identity has become my life's blood. I may not agree with all who wear the same label, but I like to attribute the diversity to the vastness of the God I believe in. How could the mind of one person such as myself, ever be so arrogant as to believe he or she reflects COMPLETELY, the FULL person of God, even if the ancient scriptures say that human-kind was made in the "likeness" of God?

On a more practical note, my faith orders my priorities, how I interact with the world and WHAT I am attuned to look for.

I have a personal theory that people WILL find whatever they are looking for. Want to find evil? BAM... there it is. Want to find God? WOW!... EVERYWHERE.

This part is OUTSIDE the teachings of the Christian Church, to which I cling: If I can believe that ALL people were created by God and that I alone can't fathom the vastness of that creator, what says God could not speak to different peoples of diverse cultures over the course of time, in the way EACH would best hear, based on each people's understanding of the world and of God?

I for one think that MOST people of faith are just a scattered children, connecting with the same VAST creator in the vocabulary that allows them that access.

I would hate to take up an argument with some of my brothers and sisters and ACCEPT that such is NOT the purpose of this thread... for which I give thanks.

In Christian teaching ( that is MY connection to faith), the words of scripture indicate that Jesus said that no person comes to the father except by him. I can agree fully with that... but what some are not willing to accept is that these ancient texts were FILLED with literary devices that spoke to the people of the time in ways we could only now guess at.

A common translation of this text in modern times would say that none can come to the creator without being Christian. However, a different interpretation would say that this passage was intended to be understood as saying that any who come before the creator personality of the vastness of God will also find the merciful nature of God ( as was made incarnate in the person of Jesus) as well.

I don't believe ANY of us have the ability to understand the magnitude of what the simple three-letter word "GOD" that we throw about so carelessly represents.

I espouse a trinitarian view of God, not just because Christianity is the prevailing expression of faith in my part of the world, but because it makes sense to me that people of human nature would wish to "break God down" into terms we can understand better. In saying this, I do NOT say that I do not believe the tenants of Christian doctrine... I DO believe them... only that I ALSO think mankind has attempted to reduce such teachings ( in some senses) to a vending machine... if you say this, no matter what is really in your heart, out pops a key to the kingdom.

I DON'T believe THAT. The TRUE key to the kingdom of God ( in my eyes) is not something we get by just saying the right words. First and foremost, that key is a gift... yes... but not to unlock the pearly gates where St. Peter stands guard... that key is for the unlocking of our hearts.

I LOVE the faith tradition that allows me to find God on levels that are not all pre-determined for me... a tradition that though there IS structure, does not say I have to believe EXACTLY like another or that I will burn in the flaming pits of hell for having ever questioned.

I am a devout Christian who believes in the VERY Christ-like effort of reconciliation. There may be things I can't take on as personal view-point of God, but that does not mean that I can't feel relationship with brothers and sisters who are following a different path. We may enrich each other greatly if we will only take time to listen to each other.

I'm Pagan because I'm my own person...I'm unique.

Before anyone says, "duh," let me clarify:

I don't have a complete and irrevocable set of rules for my life or how I do things. I don't live well in utter structure. I need a little chaos and a little mystery.

I'm also more girl/woman-centered than anything else...and Paganism allows me to deal directly with the deities/powers/energies I find most comforting and/or valid.

And one of the most important reasons why I identify as Pagan is because I generally have very strong opinions about things and I decide stuff for myself. I can't abide having someone tell me what exactly I have to believe. I want to learn and discover and find out for myself... I want to KNOW for myself.

To me, Paganism allows that.

I don't associate to a single religion.

Religions are simply a particular point of view of the same thing.

Most have some, similar, basis. Some facts in common. But the need to 'be right' overrides the Universal Need to share knowledge, and understand one another.

I think all the religions have something correct, but by binding yourself to 'Beliefs' to the exclusion of new information, stating that everyone else is 'wrong' you prevent yourself from Growing. Just because of a Label, or Fear. Spiritual Growth, and Growth as an Individual is more important than 'fitting in'

If you are limiting yourself because of your 'beliefs' what good are they? Ideas are fine, those can change with new information. Goals can be made, raised, and otherwise changed, as you get better. But Beliefs tend to be tricky, because you put so much Weight to them.

Try NOT believing, instead try Thinking, Asking, Questioning, And Learning for yourself, NOT just believing in what One book Tells you to Think.

Just my Opinion though... I wouldn't want to Tell you what to Believe...

I am so impressed with the lovely way each person has explained their views and beliefs.

I am Wiccan. I have studied many religions and facets of these religions (for example, I have been Protestant as a child, then Methodist, as a slightly older child, have been to Catholic mass many times, have been a guest to Temple with a Jewish friend, have book studied Hindu and Muslim, have looked into Buddism through books and a friend who practiced) and found that none of them really fit my beliefs.

I belive there is a greater power, but have an issue beleiving that some person, many thousands of years ago, wrote something that a divine being told them, and through many translations, it has stayed the same. I have yet to meet 10 people, when trying to pass information down the "telephone", can effectively share the message. I also have trouble accepting that, even though the ancient stories of different cultures share a great number of factors, that different religions fight about who's right. There can not be one right answer.

I finally found myself drifting toward a more pagan viewpoint and found, through discussions on our beliefs, that many of my friends were pagan.

This started a new set of studies. I have read many articles and books on "what a pagan is" and "what wicca means" and foudn myself to "fit" with the Wiccan beliefs best.

I feel that every thing has a unique spirit or vibration that links it to the world. The Oceans have a set spirit, the sand on the beach has a different spirit, your pets, the tree in the park by your home, all have, for lack of a better term, a spirit to add to the world.

I thank these spirits everyday for the love my cats give me when they wake me in the morning, when I catch a glimpse of my Mexican Petunia in full bloom, when the breeze blows on a particularly hot day, or when I see the full moon gently lighting up the world.

It is nice to see the sharing of such a wide range of beliefs without the subsequent inflammatory responses which seem to be all too prevalent in online religious discussions. I commend you Spiritseeker for attracting a good community.